prick with a needle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prick with a needle" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
Example: The nurse pricked my finger with a needle to draw blood for the test.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Accidental blood exposure (AES), whether occurring during professional activities or not, is defined by contact with blood or blood-containing liquid at a prick with a needle, a cut with a sharp objects or by contact with blood or contaminated liquid from a wound, non-intact skin or mucous membranes.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The men were ready to get pricked with a needle for their Sunni brothers.

The New York Times

A drop of solution containing an allergen will be placed on Daniel's skin, which will be pricked with a needle through the drop.

The Guardian

oryzae, 2 to 3 cm below the point of initial injection, by pricking with a needle that had been used to touch a fresh bacterial colony.

Rice

In the lab, mammal eggs that are pricked with a needle (apparently simulating penetration by sperm) will begin to divide and can form normal-looking embryos.

Science Magazine

oryzae was inoculated onto the midvein, 2 to 3 cm below the point of initial injection, by pricking with a needle that had been used to touch a freshly grown colony of Xanthomonas oryzae pv.

Rice

The control flies were pricked with a needle dipped in sterile 10 mM MgSO4 (sham infection).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Immediately after transfer, membranes were stained with Ponceau Red and extremities of bands corresponding to major proteins were pricked with a needle.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

When the wounding treatment was used, the roots was pricked with a needle 1 to 2 times, whereafter the continuous vacuum was applied.

BMC Biotechnology

For inoculation with live CF5 cells flies were pricked with a needle previously dipped into a solution of 3 x 10 cells/mls/ml or in PBS as a control as previously described.

F1000Research

Shaking, pricking with a needle, tingling and burning were the four sensations included in the somatic perception questionnaire, while the visceral perception questionnaire included bloating, colicky, tenesmus and urge to defecate.

BMC Gastroenterology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medical procedures or scientific experiments, ensure that the phrase "prick with a needle" is used to convey precision and accuracy. Providing specific details, such as the gauge or type of needle used, will give more context.

Common error

Avoid using "prick with a needle" loosely. It is best to be specific about the purpose of the action. For example, instead of saying "The skin was pricked with a needle", specify "The skin was pricked with a needle to draw a blood sample."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prick with a needle" functions primarily as a verb phrase, describing the action of puncturing something with a needle. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prick with a needle" is grammatically correct and frequently used to describe the action of puncturing something with a needle, often in medical or scientific contexts. As Ludwig shows, its usage spans various registers, from formal scientific papers to news reports and general instructions. While alternatives like "puncture with a needle" or "pierce with a needle" exist, the choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis. Furthermore, it's important to be clear about the purpose of pricking with a needle. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a versatile and widely understood way to describe a common action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

puncture with a needle

Replaces "prick" with the more formal "puncture", maintaining the same meaning.

pierce with a needle

Uses "pierce" instead of "prick", emphasizing the act of penetrating something.

stab with a needle

Emphasizes the forceful insertion of the needle; carries a slightly more aggressive connotation.

inoculate with a needle

Specifically refers to introducing a substance via needle injection.

inject with a needle

Highlights the action of administering a fluid or substance.

lance with a needle

Suggests creating an opening or incision using a needle.

impale with a needle

Implies the needle passes completely through the object, suggesting a more forceful action.

perform a needle stick

Focuses on the procedure of using a needle, commonly in medical contexts.

give a needle prick

Inverts the structure of the phrase to focus on the giving action.

poke with a needle

Uses the informal "poke" to replace "prick", indicating a lighter or less precise action.

FAQs

How can I use "prick with a needle" in a sentence?

You can use "prick with a needle" to describe a medical procedure, a scientific experiment, or even a symbolic action. For example: "The nurse will "prick your finger with a needle" to test your blood sugar."

What are some alternatives to "prick with a needle"?

Alternatives include "puncture with a needle", "pierce with a needle", or "stab with a needle", depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "prick with a needle" or "needle prick"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "prick with a needle" emphasizes the action, while "needle prick" is a noun phrase referring to the resulting puncture. The best choice depends on whether you want to focus on the act or the result.

What does it mean to simulate lameness induction "with a needle prick"?

In some scientific studies, simulating lameness induction "with a needle prick" of the coronary band is performed on animals, followed by drug or placebo administration.